France’s floating wind farm just became a reality, thanks to a dedicated team of engineers, technicians, and local workers who helped bring the project to life.
Known as Provence Grand Large, this wind farm is the first of its kind in the country and one of the first in the world to use floating foundations instead of fixed ones.
It took several years, a mix of innovation and patience, and people from many parts of France and beyond to make it happen. But today, Provence Grand Large stands 17 kilometers off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, delivering clean electricity to the French grid. The project isn’t just about wind turbines. It’s about building something new that could change how countries generate offshore energy in deep waters.
Unlike traditional wind farms, which anchor turbines directly into the seabed, floating wind farms sit on large platforms tethered by cables. This allows them to operate in deeper waters where the wind is stronger and more consistent. Provence Grand Large uses three Siemens Gamesa 8.4 MW turbines mounted on floating foundations. Each turbine is huge, reaching 190 meters high with blades 81 meters long.
Building France’s floating wind farm was far from simple. The project needed special infrastructure, including a port that could handle the size and weight of the turbines and platforms. The port of Fos-sur-Mer, with its large dock space and heavy lifting equipment, became the staging ground. It was here that workers assembled the massive turbines and floated them out to sea.
This work was done by local teams trained specifically for the job. Dozens of new technicians were hired and taught how to build and maintain offshore wind technology. The floating platforms were designed to minimize the environmental impact. They use tension leg platforms, which remain steady even in rough seas, making them suitable for future commercial-scale projects.
Moving the turbines to their offshore location required detailed planning and favourable weather. A specialized barge transported the turbines one at a time to the project site. Once there, anchoring teams connected the platforms to pre-installed mooring lines and power cables. This method avoided the need for heavy foundation drilling, which can harm the marine ecosystem.
The project brought together experts from across the country, many of whom had never worked in offshore wind before. Some came from the oil and gas industry. Others came from shipbuilding or electrical engineering. All had to adapt to the specific demands of floating offshore wind power.
Teams had to deal with tight timelines, weather delays, and the complex logistics of working at sea. What kept them going was a shared sense of purpose: to build something new that would help France meet its climate and energy goals.
France’s floating wind farm now sends electricity back to the mainland through an undersea cable. It’s a small step in total output, just over 25 megawatts, but it’s a big step for floating wind technology. If this model proves successful, it could lead to larger projects not just in France but around the world.
France’s government sees floating wind as a key part of its clean energy future. The country aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its climate targets under the Paris Agreement. Floating wind farms can help, especially in the deep waters of the Mediterranean, where traditional turbines can’t be used.
Provence Grand Large also sets a precedent for future collaboration between industry and local communities. By training new workers and using local ports and services, the project supported jobs and economic activity in the region. Many of the workers who joined this project now have skills they can use in other clean energy projects.
The technology itself is still young, but it’s promising. Floating wind farms allow access to better wind resources far from shore. It reduces the visual impact of turbines on coastlines and avoids disturbing marine habitats near the shore. It also opens the door for countries with deep coastal waters to join the offshore wind revolution.
There are still challenges. Costs remain high compared to fixed-bottom turbines. Maintenance at sea is complex. But as more floating wind projects are built, costs are expected to fall just as they did with traditional offshore wind.
France’s floating wind farm isn’t the end goal. It’s the beginning of a broader movement toward cleaner offshore energy. Provence Grand Large shows what’s possible when technology, policy, and people align with a clear mission: to create renewable energy solutions that work for both the environment and the economy.
